As your business grows, you may find that your current CRM system no longer meets your needs. Whether it’s limited functionality, difficulty in managing data, or poor integration with other tools, switching to a new CRM system can be a daunting task. While there are several options available in the market, a custom CRM system is often the best choice when switching CRM systems. In this blog post, we will explore the different types of CRM systems, why a custom CRM system is best when switching CRM systems, and how to switch CRM systems.
What Are The Different Types Of CRM Systems?
There are mainly two types of CRM systems available in the market:
1) Off-the-shelf
2) Open-source.
Off-the-shelf CRM systems are pre-built and ready-to-use systems, often with limited customization options. Think Wealthbox and Redtail Technology. Open-source CRM systems, on the other hand, need an engineer on staff or outsourced. This is because the source code can be modified as per the user’s needs. Think Salesforce. They often require technical expertise to manage and customize.
Why a Custom CRM System is Best When Switching CRM Systems
When switching CRM systems, it’s essential to choose a system that aligns with your business needs and processes. In working with offices we find off-the-shelf CRM systems, like Redtail Technology and Wealthbox to be most effective and favored. They are niche CRM’s built specifically for financial advisors. The tools, integrations, and terminology are already tailored to the industry. However, that often means the CRM is WYSIWYG, “What you see, is what you get.” That means you cannot add, remove or move boxes. Even though the framework of the software is not flexible, working with an expert like Stephanie Dannebaum Consulting can help with best practices and workarounds to use the system as it exists, but satisfy your needs for operation. Open-source CRM systems, on the other hand, can be customized to meet specific needs, but it requires technical expertise and may result in increased downtime and cost.
Regardless of the CRM system you choose, a custom CRM system is the best of both worlds. It is built to meet your specific business needs. This results in increased productivity, reduced downtime, and better user adoption. A custom CRM system allows you to add and modify features as per your requirements, resulting in a system that is tailored to your business needs.
How To Switch CRM Systems
Switching CRM systems requires careful planning and execution. Some CRM providers will shut off your access upon request for a database backup so it is imperative to be strategic. It’s essential to evaluate your current CRM system’s limitations and identify the features and functionalities that you require in your new CRM system. It’s also crucial to involve your team in the process and gather their feedback to ensure that the new system meets their needs. We’ve discussed this in previous blogs such as “When Whiteboarding Workflows.”
Once you have identified your requirements, you can start researching and evaluating different CRM systems in the market.
It’s essential to consider the following factors:
-Pricing
-Customization options
-Integrations with other tools
-User adoption
-Customer Support
After selecting a CRM system, it’s time to migrate your data from your old system to the new one. It’s crucial to back up your data before the migration to avoid any loss of data. You may also need to train your team on the new system and ensure that they are comfortable using it.
Why Should CRM Systems Be Customized Per Usage?
Every business has unique needs and processes. Therefore, a one-size-fits-all approach may not work for all businesses. A customized CRM system allows you to tailor the system to your business needs, resulting in increased productivity, better user adoption, and improved ROI.
A customized CRM system also offers greater flexibility in terms of adding and modifying features. It allows you to adapt to changing business needs and stay ahead of the competition.
The Bottom Line On Custom CRM Systems
Switching CRM systems can be a daunting task, but it’s essential to choose a system that aligns with your business needs and processes. A custom CRM system offers the best solution when switching CRM systems as it is built to meet your specific business needs, resulting in increased productivity, reduced downtime, and better user adoption.
At Stephanie Dannebaum Consulting, we understand the challenges of switching CRM systems and offer expert guidance and support to make the transition as seamless as possible. Our team training masterclasses ensure that your team is comfortable using the system with the context of their old CRM and current procedures. We’re happy to work with you one-on-one and study your day-to-day operations and make sure the CRM is built to fit your business. From there–it’s business as usual!
Check out our podcast with For Advisors By Advisors to learn more.
